Collective STEP for Youth is a group of professionals and community members who are passionate about building the capacity of organizations serving youth 10-19 to prevent teen pregnancy and enhance adolescent wellbeing.
Would you like to learn more about us? Visit our Newsletter Archives here!  
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

On Wednesday, September 20th, one∙n∙ten celebrated the grand opening of their new Youth Center with an official ribbon cutting ceremony and community reception. Everyone from community members, volunteers, partners, and youth came out to the grand opening to show their support. The event was a time to celebrate those who have helped make one∙n∙ten what it is today. The room was filled with excitement, positive energy, and as Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton pointed out, hugs.

Prior to a devastating fire at the former Youth Center, one∙n∙ten was incredibly fortunate to have received a generous donation from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to open their new 5,000 sq. ft. center. Linda Elliott, Executive Director of one∙n∙ten, stated that the contribution has allowed them to "create a safe place where the youth are empowered, affirmed, and respected." The new center features a classroom that will allow the number of students enrolled at Q Blended Learning Center to double, as well as a large kitchen to teach their youth about nutrition and healthy cooking. These additions, along with its convenient location by the light rail are expected to increase the number of youth that walk through the doors of their new home.

As partners, Collective STEP for Youth staff, along with partners from Touchstone Health Services and the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center, were excited to show support for one∙n∙ten and the youth they serve by celebrating their new beginning. Due to increased resources, space, and a passionate staff, we are certain that the youth who walk through their doors will be treated with dignity and respect while receiving vital information and services to enhance their wellbeing. If you are interested in learning more about one∙n∙ten, please contact Kado Stewart at kado@onenten.org or visit www.onenten.org.
COALITION NEWS
   
Please join us for the next STEP Coalition meeting to network and have the opportunity to join one of the following  
Work Groups: Grants & Collaboration, Professional Development, or the HUB.  
 
Wednesday, October 4th  
1:30pm-3:00pm  
Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS
Located in the Parsons Center for Health & Wellness
1101 N Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85004
 
For more information, please contact Carla Pelletier at 602-359-2433 or CarlaPelletier@mail.maricopa.gov.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
   
Join us for the next STEP Professional Development Opportunity!
 
Bullying Prevention Training
November 7, 2017
St. Mary's Food Bank
Community Room 
3003 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ
Cost: FREE   
 
Registration details coming soon! 

EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
EVENTS
The Talk: How Adults Can Promote Young People's Healthy Relationships and Prevent Misogyny and Sexual Harassment, a free webinar hosted by The Dibble Institute on October 11. Register here.  
 
Quail Run Behavioral Health will be hosting their monthly educational series on October 11. This month Stephanie Siete, Director of Community Education with Community Bridges, Inc. will be speaking on "Street, Script and Synthetic: Addictive and Deadly". Register here or RSVP to Christine.driscoll@uhsinc.com to reserve your spot.
 
AIDS Walk Arizona, an event hosted by Aunt Rita's Foundation will be held on October 22. Learn how to register here.

OPPORTUNITIES
The City of Tempe is recruiting for a Social Services Coordinator in their Education, Families and Youth Development section of Human Services. This position will be open until the needs of the City are met. First review date is Friday September 29, 2017. This position may close at that time. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid USA is a free 8-hour public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Participants must be 18+. Space is limited to 30 participants.  RSVP no later than Friday, September 29, 2017, with Mrs. Lynn at hlynn@ombudsman.com or (623) 203-7024.

The City of Phoenix is recruiting for a Workforce Development Program Assistant in Youth Services. Applications are now being accepted and recruitment will remain open until selection is made. Learn more here on how to apply.

Brush Up on your Sex Ed Skills, by joining Answer Sex Ed, Honestly for a one day Foundations training that covers essential skills for facilitating sex education, including climate building in the classroom, understanding state and local sex education policies, pedagogical approaches for experiential learning, values clarification, managing personal disclosure and handling difficult questions and harassing comments. Space is limited so register today.

Volunteer with VITA and become a Certified IRS Tax Preparer while helping your community!  If you are interested, please check out our volunteer opportunities here or contact Sanida.starr@phonenix.gov  at 602-262-4948. Learn to prepare taxes and become a Certified Tax Preparer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program while making a difference in your community. 

Chicanos Por La Causa Maryvale Community Center is searching for partnering organizations who are interested in manning a resource table at their first annual Fall Resource Fair on October 28th. Download the application of interest here.
RESOURCES
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has released a set of three trusted adults tip sheets.  These evidence-informed tip sheets were produced after many interviews and focus groups with stakeholders and youth in care. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA recently released a new guide that is designed to serve as a behavioral health resource for consumers.  The guide offers important information about mental health and substance use disorder services, including definitions of behavorial health terms and guidance on how to find a behavioral health services provider, receive treatment, and obtain follow-up care.

The Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) has released this report which highlights the results of a state-level survey of juvenile justice initiatives from 34 states as reported by their State Advisory Groups (SAGs).  The survey results can help other states tackling juvenile justice issues and guide the work of the FACJJ. 

ETR's Program Success Center offers a number of free tools to help plan for and select the best evidence-based program for teen pregnancy, HIV, and STD prevention.

We can help you spread the word!
Please fill out the Events, Opportunities & Resources (EOR) form here.
Submit EOR forms the first and third Monday of the month to be included in the newsletter.


EMERGING NEWS ON ADOLESCENT HEALTH & WELLBEING
 
Breastfeeding Behind Bars: Do All Moms Deserve the Right? 
Read here about how a judge in Santa Fe ruled that all mothers incarcerated in state prisons, have a fundamental and protected right to breastfeed their infants. 
 
The Government's Role in Combating Loneliness      
There is a public health problem in the United States, loneliness, which can lead to premature mortality.  This article says 'psychologists and medical doctors' are calling for public health campaigns to fight it . Read more here    
 
How Boosting the Minimum Wage Could Lower the Teen Birthrate   
This article looks at how paying higher wages to adolescents who earn the minimum wage could reduce the number of babies born to teen mothers.    

 
For Teens Knee-Deep in Negativity, Reframing
Thoughts Can Help    
Read more here about how psychological research shows that what people think can have a powerful influence on how they feel emotionally and physically, and on how they behave. 

Collective STEP for Youth shares resources for adolescent wellbeing as a service to its partner community.  
Any questions about a resource shared here should be directed to the organization it came from.
The project described is supported by Grant Number TP1AHOOO129 from the Office of Adolescent Health. 
Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.